A Day Early - But Happy Valentines Day Anyway!

Every Valentine's Day I am reminded how very lucky I am to be married to a good man.  Life has not been easy, we've had our ups and downs, but it is good and I am very grateful to be married to him.

My little grandson continues to grow.  He is such a sweetheart, another thing to be grateful for this time of year.  Well heck - my kids, my grandson, my husband, my friends, my family,  life in general.  I have much to be grateful for.  Happy Valentines Day to all.

Braden and Charlie Powell

Susan Powell disappeared from her home in December of 2009.  She was a beautiful woman and was believed to be killed by her husband, Josh Powell.  I have followed her case at a distance for the past two years.  I would occasionally check to see if there had been any changes in her case and at times had been hopeful they may find her, but there had not been any resolution after two years.

Yesterday that changed for me.  I had taken a long nap after church and got onto the internet.  I was startled, devastated, and angry for a very long time yesterday and just grievous this morning because I had read Josh had killed his two little boys, Braden and Charlie, and himself yesterday by blowing up his house.  The final act of selfishness and a horrific way for this to end.

My heart goes out to the Cox family and all of those who loved and cared for the Powells.

I am a Grandma!

Although I prefer to be called "Nana".  Silly, I just think back to my own Grandmas and at that time in my life I thought they were really old.  Now I look back and they were about where I am now age wise.  Still - I'm Nana.

William Blade was born last Friday.  He weighed 7 lb 13 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long.  He is beautiful and perfect.  He is my son's baby and there was nothing more perfect in my universe than to watch him with this little boy and for me to hold this newborn boy in my arms.  Just on this side of Heaven.  What a blessing to be able to be here at this time with him.

What a way to end the year

Sounds like a country western song.

First off - I know I've been very blessed.  In spite of three years of great difficulty we are still in our home, I'm doing dialysis from home, and still have quality of life.  We have been well cared for and I have a new grandson due any day.

Went to the temple today to watch some dear friends get sealed.

But . . . . its like one thing after another this month.  Steve had a wreck the week before Christmas.  We thought no major damage, but surprise . . . big time damage.  Somebody decided they wanted to be where Steve was on the service road and moved over.  Steve jumped the curb to avoid being hit and boom there it was.  So glad we have insurance.  Could have been much worse. The other guy just kept going.

Today . . . I sit in my recliner doing my treatment and working on indexing.  I've gotten to where I take my glasses off to read and did . .  can't find them anywhere!  It doesn't make sense.  I'm hoping Steve can find them.  I'm running around blind and couldn't see where they are if I tried.

November 11 2011

Veterans day today.  Reminded me of my father today.  Dad died 9 years ago.  Coming up on ten.  It's hard to believe.  Sound out to all the veterans present and past.  Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Just got back from spending time with my daughter in Austin.  I love being with her, but am always glad to come home - my sanctuary.

Our little Benson passed away unexpectedly.  He had been my buddy for the past four years.  He and I had been through some tough times together.  He went downhill in a very short time and apparently had Cushings disease.  He will always be missed.







I have a new buddy.  His name is Bailey.  He went with me to my daughter's house.  He is a handful but a delight.  He's a little black ball of fur and is a busy fellow.  I'll post a pic when I have one to share.

Our visiting dog is gone

My daughter took her dog home.  He's sweet and Steve adore's him.  I'm thrilled.  He nailed the rug under the dining room table.  We had the brother from our ward come over and he tried to clean it yesterday but he said Pepe had saturated the rug.  I think it happened when I was in the hospital.  The scent wasn't there before, but was there when I came home.  When we had all the windows replaced and the patio door replaced we didn't put the doggy door back in.  Bad choice.

Our little guy is really good about it;  Pepe .... I'm just glad he's gone home.

Change

My daughter and I have a unique relationship.  Mother, daughter, and friend.  There are times I have been her counselor and greatest supporter; and she mine.   I love her dearly.

She has changes coming in her life sooner than later.  She's leaving Texas and probably heading to California.  She has an interview on Tuesday and it sounds promising for her.  She's so excited so I have to be happy for her, but sad for me since she won't be down the highway.  If it works, she'll be gone to California in a couple of weeks.

Spent the day today working on the yard.  Its been so beautiful here this week.  I love the cooler weather.

The Little Things

I was standing at the sink washing dishes and thought how grateful I am to be alive and able to do the little things - like washing dishes (my least favorite chore, and yet one of the most rewarding).  I was able to mow the front yard this morning - it was not yet 100 degrees and it felt good to be able to look at the yard and know it had been mowed.

I am well aware that it is only by the grace of God I have a life and have been given this time.  I see the things the Lord does for us on a daily basis and have much to be grateful for.

More Storms

Wow . .  Oklahoma city was hit by tornadoes today and we're under a tornado watch, but other counties in Texas are under a warning.  I hate tornadoes.

Poor Benson is really having a hard time with Kristin's dog, Pepe, being here.  Yesterday for no reason at all Pepe just tore into him.  I took them for a walk this afternoon and one of our neighbors said a pit bull had gotten loose and tore into two little dogs walking with the owners last week.  Scary stuff.  Maybe I should start carrying Mace when I walk.

Clipped the bushes this morning.  My flowers are growing so nice and oh my goodness, my squash plants are huge.

Going to Be a Long Summer

Woke up this morning to the news that 1/3 of Joplin Missouri had been destroyed by a tornado.  It brought unsettling feels inside of me.  So many bad things happening in the world; tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, fires, etc.  I am convinced this is going to be a summer of disasters.

Harold Camping

On a side note, this weekend a "false prophet" said the world was going to end.  If he'd only read his scriptures, he'd know better.  Anyway, there will be a second coming and it is coming.  Personally, I believe sooner than later.  Anyway, watching everyone's reaction to this man, Harold Camping, made me think of Noah and how many people were making fun and laughing at him.  There are so many who don't believe in the second coming and laugh at those who do and they have posted many comments mocking those who do.  Their day will come and they will be surprised.   Phillipians 2:10-11 "That  the ^aname of Jesus every ^bknee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is^aLord, to the glory of God the Father."

D&C 88

This morning there was a special stake conference held.  Elder Rasband was visiting.  They took the entire Plano Stake and split us into different buildings to watch the conference.  We were meeting over at the Legacy chapel and unfortunately, the feed from Roundrock didn't work.  We sang some hymns; watched a replay of Elder Holland's talk from April conference; and then Elder Rasband and President Wilding made it to the Legacy building.

President Wilding spoke of D&C 88 and suggested for the month of May we choose one item from the following scripture:  119^aOrganize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a ^bhouse, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;

 Organization and order have always been great challenges for me.  When I worked at my last job I was in my element and had things well organized.  However, home for me for the past 20 plus years has been a place I crashed, hung my hat, slept, ate, spent time with family and not much more.

I have been trying to bring organization into my life and home and order.  My continuing challenge but one I'm praying about and trying to correct.  So my challenge, President Wilding for the month of May is organization and order (both the same in my mind).

President Rasband's talk was inspiring and well worth staying over for.  I love the definition he shared for "failure in the home."  Don't ever give up on your children.  I love my family and am so grateful for Steve and my children.  Also about the safe harbor of home, family, temple, and the church. 

I Love Sundays

Not only is it Sunday - but Easter Sunday.  I owe my Savior so much.  I was talking to my dear husband earlier this morning about the blessings that have been ours through the Savior's grace and I owe him all that I have to give him which really is nothing but my heart.


Church was awesome.  The speakers were wonderful and the choir did a beautiful job.  Sunday school and Relief Society were moving and I felt the Spirit through all three meetings.


I've had some IBS issues over the past week and my home teacher swung by and he and Steve gave me a blessing.


Steve and I had a nice dinner and settled in for the evening.


One of the sister missionaries that used to live with us is going home Tuesday and stopped in for a visit tonight.


It was really a great day.


There is a picture by James C Christensen that I love and have posted it on my desktop.  Everytime I turn on my computer and see the screen I think of faith.  This woman's faith that even fleeting contact with Christ could cure the incurable is matched only by her resolve in making the event occur. So powerful is such faith that the frenzy of a pressing crowd dissolves before the touch of such a devoted human spirit and the virtue of Christ flows to it. (Mark 5:25-34)

Touching the Hem of God - James C Christensen